Ron Ware earned his first World Series of Poker cash back in 2005, and although he made a few final tables and even earned a WSOP Circuit ring since, the coveted gold bracelet has always eluded him.

In 2016, Ware got agonizingly close to victory, taking third in the $1,500 six-max eight-game event for $60,882. On Monday night, Ware somehow not only make the final table once again, but this time he managed to secure the title, the bracelet and the $145,577.

The man known as “Grumpy” said the eight-game format played to his advantage.

“I like the mixed games, because usually, you can catch a couple of the games people are weak at,” Ware explained. “I like the mixed the best because it gives everybody a shot to be bad at something.”

Ware topped a field of 472 entrants, taking home nearly a quarter of the $637,200 prize pool. Ware’s previous best score came in 2005, when he finished 75th in the main event for $107,950. He now has more than $600,000 in live tournament earnings.

For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2017 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.

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